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Missing reviews...

POSTED BY: LEIASKY
UPDATED: Monday, July 10, 2006 10:23
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 16842
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Wednesday, July 5, 2006 9:43 AM

LEIASKY


Uh...with this recent crash, all the Anon comments on our fics are gone. Can they be replaced please?

And maybe just give the author's the ability to delete the spam that keeps cropping up?




"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Wednesday, July 5, 2006 4:05 PM

SILLYLITTLEDUCK


Yeah, deleting would be better. I was on this site for months before I ever got a real sign in and I left feedback all the time.

Deleting our own spammers would be shiny!!!

Plus trolls can just sign in and still leave crap. FrellingBlonde had got a fanfic kidnapper and he had to sign in to do it.

Not to say i don't understand why Haken thought this might be a solution... but it really isn't.

Thanks for your attention to this site Haken we really do appreciate it, but this wasn't the answer.

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Wednesday, July 5, 2006 7:11 PM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.


Well, it got rid of the gibberish, but also got rid of some shiny nice things. I like the delete idea, too. There's even a little delete link, if it would work.

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Thursday, July 6, 2006 5:05 AM

LEIASKY


>Well, it got rid of the gibberish,

Well, sure, if one wants to punish the entire playground because of a few idiot children.

I hope those Anonymous comments can be restored because I can't believe this was the only acceptable solution. There was some great stuff there, and now its all gone.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Thursday, July 6, 2006 5:11 AM

LEIGHKOHL


I was sad to see my anon comments missing! I had some reallynice ones! I like the delete idea. I miss my lovely comments alot, but I do appreciate Haken's response to the spamming and gibberish problem, maybe we can find a middle ground.

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Thursday, July 6, 2006 5:14 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.


I feel pretty silly as I have responded to some of those anon comments and now it looks like I'm talking to myself....

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Thursday, July 6, 2006 5:20 AM

MSG


but we love your PR even if you do talk to yourself:)
Hey I figure site is up and running...so it's all good. Just be witty and clever again:)

I choose to rise instead of fall- U2

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Friday, July 7, 2006 12:34 AM

MORDSITH


I actually don't mind the missing comments. Yeah there was some shiny feedback by some people to lazy to log on *cough*maantreandreenie*cough*. But I think it will keep flaming down, which is shiny too. A lot of people abused being able to log off and comment.

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Friday, July 7, 2006 4:59 AM

LEIASKY


Quote:

Originally posted by Mordsith:
I actually don't mind the missing comments. Yeah there was some shiny feedback by some people to lazy to log on *cough*maantreandreenie*cough*. But I think it will keep flaming down, which is shiny too. A lot of people abused being able to log off and comment.



I've had some pretty nasty comments on some of my fics. But I most definitely would not trade those few for all of the great ones that were there.

If I didn't want comments - of any kind - I wouldn't post on a public forum.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Friday, July 7, 2006 7:42 AM

VERYFAVORITEGUN


Quote:

Originally posted by Leiasky:

I've had some pretty nasty comments on some of my fics. But I most definitely would not trade those few for all of the great ones that were there.

If I didn't want comments - of any kind - I wouldn't post on a public forum.




Then why do you and yours seem to get so tetchy when someone gives you a negative comment?

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Friday, July 7, 2006 7:45 AM

LEIASKY


Quote:

Originally posted by VeryFavoriteGun:
Quote:

Originally posted by Leiasky:

I've had some pretty nasty comments on some of my fics. But I most definitely would not trade those few for all of the great ones that were there.

If I didn't want comments - of any kind - I wouldn't post on a public forum.




Then why do you and yours seem to get so tetchy when someone gives you a negative comment?



Do I? Please point out where. I'm always asking for comments, whether negative or positive.

Unless you are confusing my defending why I've written something one way, when someone else feels I should have written something a different way, as 'tetchy', you are incorrect.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Friday, July 7, 2006 7:47 AM

MORDSITH


I don't post my fic for comments, I post it for people to read and enjoy if they wish to.

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Friday, July 7, 2006 7:49 AM

MAL4PREZ


So... Did veryfavoritegun register for a new name just to leave this post?

Weird.

I miss anonymous comments!! Although - it appears that the rating on some of my chapters suddenly went up after the anonymous stuff went away. Is that possible?

-----------------------------------------------
I'm the president. I don't need to listen.

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Friday, July 7, 2006 8:38 AM

VERYFAVORITEGUN


Quote:

Originally posted by mal4prez:
So... Did veryfavoritegun register for a new name just to leave this post?

Weird.



Yep, he did! And I agree it was weird, which is why anon commenting should be done away with. Of course, some people might create a new name like I did to leave a nasty comment, but hopefully it will reduce that somewhat.

Oh and I can readily believe that ratings of many fics will go up with the loss of anon comments. People feel more free to give low ratings if they are sure they won't be identified for it. And, of course, it means the loss of ratings from some individuals who have taken it upon themselves to rate a chapter very low multiple times in a row just to reduce a fic's overall rating. I think that's something we can do without. (Several of my author friends have said that this has happened, they can tell when they are online and get 10 messages in a row that their fic has been rated and suddenly the rating is down to a 4! Isn't that petty?!)

So, I did a weird thing, LOL, but it ain't the first time! Sorry if it freaked you out! (and how weird is it that I'm still "anonymous"?) *EG*

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Friday, July 7, 2006 8:50 AM

MAVOURNEEN


Quote:

Originally posted by VeryFavoriteGun:
Quote:

Originally posted by mal4prez:
So... Did veryfavoritegun register for a new name just to leave this post?

Weird.



Yep, he did! And I agree it was weird, which is why anon commenting should be done away with.




Actually...anonymous commenting is gone. I just logged off, looked up my own fanfics, and there is no longer an ability to comment / rate work if you are a "guest." You must be signed in under a screen name. Interesting.


"Have you ever been with a Warrior Woman?"


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Friday, July 7, 2006 8:57 AM

MAL4PREZ


Quote:

Originally posted by VeryFavoriteGun:
And, of course, it means the loss of ratings from some individuals who have taken it upon themselves to rate a chapter very low multiple times in a row just to reduce a fic's overall rating. I think that's something we can do without. (Several of my author friends have said that this has happened, they can tell when they are online and get 10 messages in a row that their fic has been rated and suddenly the rating is down to a 4! Isn't that petty?!)



That's terrible!

I really don't usually care so much, and have no idea what ratings most of my chapters have, but the one I noticed changing was disappointingly low. It went up 2 points!

Makes me go hmmmm, given what you say!


-----------------------------------------------
I'm the president. I don't need to listen.

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Friday, July 7, 2006 8:59 AM

DRACONUS


While I agree that this solution could prevent a lot of headaches, what about those of us who are on a computer that refuses to stay logged on? I'm constantly having to re-login just so i can post and respond now, when in the past, I could just add my handle to the bottom. Definately some good and bad things about the procees, but surely there's a better way.

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May you have enough.

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Friday, July 7, 2006 9:39 AM

KAYNARA


Hey All,

I totally agree with Leiasky on this one. I miss my anon reviews! Often people signed them at the bottom--so not really anon anyway. Please bring them back? I think most writers do it, in part, for the shiny feedback. I hate to think of all the useful comments we're missing out on because anon reviewing is disabled.

Just my two cents....

Kaynara

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Friday, July 7, 2006 12:22 PM

MORDSITH


I think too many people abuse the annon comments feature and I think it was good that they took them away. I'm not thrilled with the fact the old annon posts are gone because I had many people post annon just because they were too lazy to log on. I did that in fact. But I think too many people have taken it upon themselves to flame others. Unfortunately the many are punished for the few but sometimes that has to be the way it goes.

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Friday, July 7, 2006 9:11 PM

AGENTROUKA


Can someone maybe give an example for all those flames people have been getting?

Because... I've never seen any (and now I can't, I guess, if anonymous reviews are gone) and I imagine if it was a widespread problem it should have been more noticable?

That rating abuse I have no trouble believing, though.


I haven't checked my missing anonymous reviews yet, but maybe a warning would have been nice, to save the more detailed ones...

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 1:25 AM

TKID


I was an anonymous reviewer, and liked reviewing anonymously here as one could leave a 'liked' or 'disagreed' or 'what does character X think they're doing' comment or two without the risk of someone jumping down your throat.

I particularly liked how some anonymous comments would start off reasonable and rational discussions in some of the fanfics. I'm going to miss that dialogue the most.

The only flame I've ever seen to a fic was a story of Leiasky's; the comment truly was incendiary. I've seen one or two instances of mistaking a 'I don't like your take on Character Y' comment as a flame and then flame the original comment. But for the majority, this is a pretty sane fanfic site.

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 1:52 AM

TKID


Quote:

Originally posted by Mordsith:
But I think too many people have taken it upon themselves to flame others.



I think you're mistaking someone criticizing a fic with actual flames. Flames are extreme - I can criticize a fic, I can't overcriticize the fic or call the author nasty names.

Ie/ I don't like how Early is portrayed in this work; he'd never do that.

Versus

Oh my gawd you *insert favourite slanderous adjective*, did you have your *insert another favourite slanderous adjective* when you wrote that?

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 3:18 AM

REENIE


As a fan of the fanfic (tee hee, not an author I mean), I consider it an honor to be asked for my input on anyone's work.

I'm so glad the anonymous option is gone! True, I often used it because I was too lazy to log in while at work or something (*loves you, Mordsith*), but I always signed my name within the post...making it not really ananymous.

I absolutely agree with what was said about being allowed to offer constructive criticism or to say a character is out of voice, etc. HOWEVER, what is said by the person commenting should never be so bad that the comment-er FEARS retaliation from the author. If you are afraid what you are saying would cause someone to jump down your throat, then perhaps you shouldn't say it. That may sound like playground logic (if you don't have anything nice to say...), but seriously folks...show some respect. These people are putting themselves out there for our entertainment. Be civil.

Is that to say I like everything I read? Hell no. But, my public comments remain largely positive. There have been times that even my favorite authors have done things with stories or characters that don't sit well with me. In those cases, I comment publically and positively about what I can praise. Then, I write them privately and say, "You know, you might want to look at this..." What they choose to do with that is up to them. At least they get the information in a safe, non-threatening fashion.

In the end, the work posted is the property and often pride of the author. It should be respected as such. If what I read is so bad that even the soft touch outlined above won't work, then I just DON'T COMMENT AT ALL and I tend to stop reading that person's work. Easy peasy. Just because something rubs ME the wrong way, doesn't mean it doesn't have the right to exist and others don't have the right to enjoy.

Some people juggle geese. Is it too much to ask that we employ simple kindness and etiquette when discussing said geese?


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Saturday, July 8, 2006 3:52 AM

MORDSITH


Quote:

Originally posted by tkid:
Quote:

Originally posted by Mordsith:
But I think too many people have taken it upon themselves to flame others.



I think you're mistaking someone criticizing a fic with actual flames. Flames are extreme - I can criticize a fic, I can't overcriticize the fic or call the author nasty names.

Ie/ I don't like how Early is portrayed in this work; he'd never do that.

Versus

Oh my gawd you *insert favourite slanderous adjective*, did you have your *insert another favourite slanderous adjective* when you wrote that?



I'm not just talking about me. But I have gotten annon complaints about the character pairings I've written. Someone once had the 'overwhelming urge to spit on me' because of that.

Is that constructive critcism?

If you don't like a work, you don't have to comment on it. Or like Reenie said, contact me through PMs I find that much more costructive. Or don't just point at the negative in the story, but the positive as well. I don't post what I write to get comments. Sure they're shiny, but I post it because I liked writing it and because I'm offering it to someone else to enjoy.

These people are not my editors, they aren't book reviewers, they're just other browncoats and I think EVERYONE has different views on how characters should be potrayed, and that is just fine and dandy, but you shouldn't make a writer feel bad because they didn't write the way YOU feel they should write.

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 12:07 PM

LEIASKY


This needed to be said again because its amazingly true.

I've noticed a lot of people consider flames as someone commenting that they don't like the characterization of someone in an author's story. That's not a flame. That's someone giving their honest opinion, which an author may or may not agree with.

I've found that authors who write non-cannon pairing's get this a lot more than those who write cannon pairings. Probably because it takes more work to get those characterizations to a place where they are believable and it isn't often where a lot of people agree with those characterizations.

A flame...well...TKID has it spot on when he/she explains what that is.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 12:08 PM

LEIASKY


Quote:

Originally posted by tkid:

I think you're mistaking someone criticizing a fic with actual flames. Flames are extreme - I can criticize a fic, I can't overcriticize the fic or call the author nasty names.

Ie/ I don't like how Early is portrayed in this work; he'd never do that.

Versus

Oh my gawd you *insert favourite slanderous adjective*, did you have your *insert another favourite slanderous adjective* when you wrote that?



Feh, the reply with quote didn't work the first time...maybe it will this time....


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 12:16 PM

LEIASKY


Quote:

Originally posted by tkid:
I was an anonymous reviewer, and liked reviewing anonymously here as one could leave a 'liked' or 'disagreed' or 'what does character X think they're doing' comment or two without the risk of someone jumping down your throat.




You know, I feel exactly the same way. Too many times, I, or someone I know, would leave a review, only to get e-mails back from friends of that author flaming the HELL out of us because we DARED to give our opinion, which happened to not agree with a characterization. Now, I just don't even bother to respond to those people who obviously have nothing better to do than to kiss ass in public and flame in private.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 12:36 PM

LEIGHKOHL


I totally agree with TKID's example of what a criticism is and what a flame is. I know authors pour alot of their ego into their work and when someone comments on it in a negative manner, it is not always well recieved. Yet it also inspires growth and helps authors look at what they are writing and think, Now how can I improve what I am doing? It may be a little painful...I have had comments where I disagreed with what was said but that doesn't mean that they weren't vald to the person who wrote it. Everything is subjective and we all have our own opinions, right or wrong. I think sometimes our bruised egos get in the way of what is trying to be said.

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 1:48 PM

REENIE


I completely understand the distinction the last few posts have tried to make between constructive criticism and flaming. I'm not disagreeing with this.

The point I was trying to make, and may not have done so that well, is that how much criticism an author can take before he/she feels attacked is variable. Therefore, if EVER in doubt of crossing a line in which even innocent remarks could be misunderstood...then, don't cross the line. Said another way, it isn't what you say so much as how it's said.

I was simply trying to offer that it's the responsiblity of those leaving comments to uphold a minimum standard of kindness and tact. If you ever, even once, leave a comment that gets YOU a negative reaction in return...perhaps take that a sign to not comment like that again. It may be something you as an author would find acceptable, but clearly not everyone does.

Call it flaming or cronstructive reviewing or anything in between...if it hurts or offends someone, stop. If it even might, don't do it. Find another way to express yourself.

That's all I'm sayin'.

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 2:51 PM

LEIGHKOHL


I was merely stating that if we all put our wrtings up for public display, we are not always going to get the response we want. Not only that, sometimes constructive criticism spurs a writer to try and do better, or even creates inspiration for another story. It can be encouraging and still critical, or it can open up new possibilities. The world is not a perfect place, we can't expect everybody to like everything we write. Not only that, if people don't want criticism or comments then maybe they can state that on their posts, or make a point to mention that they only want nice feedback. Although I do think that is a little limitting on the response you get from your story. I don't advocate making it a point to say only critical things, there should be some encouragment as well.

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 3:25 PM

TKID


Quote:

Originally posted by Reenie:
Therefore, if EVER in doubt of crossing a line in which even innocent remarks could be misunderstood...then, don't cross the line.



I have to disagree again. Nothing would be said to anyone if ones remarks even remotely may be misunderstood.

And sometimes, once the initial hurt wears off, a dialogue ensues that is enlightening, and even fun to have/read.

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 4:31 PM

MORDSITH


Quote:

Originally posted by Reenie:
I completely understand the distinction the last few posts have tried to make between constructive criticism and flaming. I'm not disagreeing with this.

The point I was trying to make, and may not have done so that well, is that how much criticism an author can take before he/she feels attacked is variable. Therefore, if EVER in doubt of crossing a line in which even innocent remarks could be misunderstood...then, don't cross the line. Said another way, it isn't what you say so much as how it's said.

I was simply trying to offer that it's the responsiblity of those leaving comments to uphold a minimum standard of kindness and tact. If you ever, even once, leave a comment that gets YOU a negative reaction in return...perhaps take that a sign to not comment like that again. It may be something you as an author would find acceptable, but clearly not everyone does.

Call it flaming or cronstructive reviewing or anything in between...if it hurts or offends someone, stop. If it even might, don't do it. Find another way to express yourself.

That's all I'm sayin'.



I write non fan fic realted stuff and post it at a website called writing.com and I have recieved a LOT of constructive criticism. And I have always welcomed it. Becuase while people here say, 'I don't like this or that' often that is all they will say and all the author gets is I don't like your story, and that can put a person off.

At this other website though I would get an email from a fellow writer who would say something like, this piece was good, I thought you could use work in this part here. Have you are tried doing this? Or if you want to try and go for that reaction, why not try this? I've gotten a whole story with mark ups and comments back from multipul reviewers. They offer encouragement and support as well as help because they understand how nerve wracking it can be to post your work. They don't sugar coat, but they don't make you feel like an idiot when you post something either.

I have never recieved a comment like that from this site.

But you know what? You aren't gonna please everyone when you write, no matter what you do, someone is not going to like it. Lieasky will probably never love my writing (at least not my Jaylee, lol ;D), which is fine, she doesn't has to.

Just like I will probably never read a Rayne story because thinking about River in an emotionally mature realtionship with anyone is completely out of character in my opinion. But that is fine. Since I don't think Rayne could EVER be in character, I don't go and read the fic and then tell the writer I thought it was out of character. I either have to suspend my personal opinion on the 'ship, or I just don't read it. It would be silly to go to all the different Rayne writers and tell them how I don't agree with River being able to act like this or that.

I guess I don't even know what my point is with this whole post lol. Just read what you like. If you have something you think could TRULY help the writer, let them know. But also let them know what you did enjoy, put them at ease so they feel comfortable talking with you. That is what is really going to help them, otherwise they are going to be standoffish to you and your comments will just be recieved negatively and will serve no purpose but to upset someone. And then what was the point in commenting in the first place?

Okay, I should stop rambling now.

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 6:40 PM

LEIASKY


Quote:

Originally posted by tkid:
Quote:

Originally posted by Reenie:
Therefore, if EVER in doubt of crossing a line in which even innocent remarks could be misunderstood...then, don't cross the line.



I have to disagree again. Nothing would be said to anyone if ones remarks even remotely may be misunderstood.

And sometimes, once the initial hurt wears off, a dialogue ensues that is enlightening, and even fun to have/read.



Tkid, where did you come from and why haven't you posted earlier!? laugh

Damn, you've managed to say far more politely, than I ever could have. This is exactly the same way I feel.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Saturday, July 8, 2006 7:00 PM

LEIASKY


Quote:

Originally posted by Mordsith:

Lieasky will probably never love my writing (at least not my Jaylee, lol ;D), which is fine, she doesn't has to.



On the contrary. I actually like your writing a lot. I think I've even commented to that effect. And since you brought this up, I will comment on this specifically. If I felt your Jaylee was in character, I'd probably be able to accept that pairing in those stories you write as well - and would leave a review stating that.

I certainly won't colorcoat a review, if I read something (not necessarily written by you M - by anyone!) and felt that it was lacking or something was wrong. Of course it doesn't mean the author has to agree, but just as you (general you here, not just Mordsith) have taken the time to write, I, and everyone else, has taken the time to read.

I do my best to leave constructive reviews. I don't flame, call people names, but I DO give my opinion.

Quote:

If you have something you think could TRULY help the writer, let them know. But also let them know what you did enjoy, put them at ease so they feel comfortable talking with you. That is what is really going to help them, otherwise they are going to be standoffish to you and your comments will just be recieved negatively and will serve no purpose but to upset someone. And then what was the point in commenting in the first place?



But truly, does anyone know what will 'help' a writer? Different comments help different people. Just general comments help me, give me ideas, might make me take another look at how I wrote a specific character if someone doesn't agree with how I portrayed them. I want to hear these things. I want people to be honest. Otherwise, how else is one going to get better?

Some, and I'm learning slowly, just want positive reviews and don't want to hear anything negative. Some consider reviewers telling them someone is out of character to be a flame, when I don't think it is. Would just make me take another look at how I wrote that specific person/s.

*shrug*

Now I'm rambling. Time to go back to writing.


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Sunday, July 9, 2006 9:36 AM

SLOWBROWNCOAT


Okay, so Anon is gone and I had to de-lurk and get a user-ID to get in on this! I hope that no one flames me for what I’m about to say, lol, especially since this is my first post as an online-person. So, I’m an avid reader of fanfic (but not a writer) who has commented anonymously a number of times and has about as big an obsession in reading the comments as the fic (hmm, what does that say about me?). I wonder if it helps to understand that there are nuances to comments and characterizations that should be considered here. For example, I might read a fic that I think has wonderful characterizations and yet someone else thinks they are off (maybe even way off). It is true that writers/fanfics differ in terms of the characterizations, but it is also true that commenters differ in how they see the characters. I have sometimes wondered if the commenter has considered whether or not they actually see the characters accurately (assuming there is some objective criteria to view the characters, which I don’t believe there is, but I digress). As TKID indicated above (don’t know how to do the quote thingy!), the statement “I don’t think Early would act that way” is not inflammatory and is an appropriate way to respond. However, saying “This is not how Early would act” indicates that the commenter is the sole judge of how Early would act and there are no other ways for him to be interpreted. Or again, it lacks an acknowledgement that the commenter may actually be incorrect on the characterization. Perhaps it isn’t inflammatory, but it indicates a bit of a lack of self-realization, and if the commenter keeps doing that, (and I’ve actually begun to notice commenters who routinely do that in fics) I could see how an author would get defensive about it.

I’ve noticed that certain types of fics tend to get negative comments whether or not they were “good” fics with what I considered good characterizations. Sometimes those negative comments were constructive, sometimes not, occasionally they were very negative and I wondered if someone was just having a bad day or had a stick up their pi gu (my first use of Chinese!). Often these fics are those that simply do something the reader didn’t agree with (slash, non-canon pairings, character death) and I have to consider that their evaluation of the fic was clouded by their dislike of the topic/plot/pairing. Sometimes I think we are taking this WAY too seriously. I mean it is meant to be fun and entertaining. I’m not sure how it has ended up such a grudge match. As a somewhat new person to the verse, I’m sad to say it’s kinda turning me off it.

And in response to Mordsith, I remember the comment about someone wanting to spit on you simply for writing a pairing that they didn’t like! I was appalled at that, I never considered that Browncoats would be that way. I just went back to look for it, so I wouldn’t say anything out of turn, and I noticed that it wasn’t an Anon comment (so maybe that doesn’t support the notion that getting rid of anon commenting will cut down on flaming, but…). I also saw that you replyed to it, as did others and you certainly had the right to defend yourself there (I thought your response was kinda funny as well as insightful!). I guess I can see how a commenter would feel like they were being flamed for getting a response to their comment (kinda in response to Leiasky’s post above, but since I don’t really know the circumstances there it might not be appropriate). However, if fanfic is fair game for any type of comments, then so are the comments fair game to responses.

Okay, I’ve been way too long-winded, especially for a first post. I think I’ll go back to lurking for a while. *please don’t hurt me too badly, I can’t take negative comments, LOL*

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Sunday, July 9, 2006 9:51 AM

SAMEERTIA


Thanks for delurking SlowBrownCoat!

I agree that we need to leave the fanfiction reviews open for anyone to post in, but it would be nice if authors had control over being able to delete flaming reviews, or if we had a moderator who we could contact.

I've been very fortunate not to have been the recipient of negative reviews on this site, even on my Simon/Mal story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, non-slashers!

And usually, I can take the flames, toast marshmallows over them, and make lovely s'mores for all of my happy readers.

However, it can really tear a person down to recieve viscious replies, and sometimes I've seen it escalate into personal attacks on the authors.
Some samples that I've revieved from other boards= (keep in mind that I write LOTR based erotica)
- "Get a life, Nobody wants to read this crap."
-"If you want to bastardize something maybe you should start with your own offspring." (I actually liked that one. I quote it often!)
-"This was stupid. Why do you bother?"


I LOVE a constructive criticism review! "I thought these parts were good, but this part wasn't so good. Maybe you could... *make suggestions here*". But nastiness can really tear down an author, make them lose faith in their story-telling.

I don't mind anonymous reviewers, Often that means we have shiny visitors from other sites on the web come to visit li'l old us. I'd hate to see them have to go through the mess of registering just to leave a review.


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Sunday, July 9, 2006 12:39 PM

MORDSITH


Quote:

Originally posted by slowbrowncoat:
Okay, so Anon is gone and I had to de-lurk and get a user-ID to get in on this! I hope that no one flames me for what I’m about to say, lol, especially since this is my first post as an online-person. So, I’m an avid reader of fanfic (but not a writer) who has commented anonymously a number of times and has about as big an obsession in reading the comments as the fic (hmm, what does that say about me?). I wonder if it helps to understand that there are nuances to comments and characterizations that should be considered here. For example, I might read a fic that I think has wonderful characterizations and yet someone else thinks they are off (maybe even way off). It is true that writers/fanfics differ in terms of the characterizations, but it is also true that commenters differ in how they see the characters. I have sometimes wondered if the commenter has considered whether or not they actually see the characters accurately (assuming there is some objective criteria to view the characters, which I don’t believe there is, but I digress). As TKID indicated above (don’t know how to do the quote thingy!), the statement “I don’t think Early would act that way” is not inflammatory and is an appropriate way to respond. However, saying “This is not how Early would act” indicates that the commenter is the sole judge of how Early would act and there are no other ways for him to be interpreted. Or again, it lacks an acknowledgement that the commenter may actually be incorrect on the characterization. Perhaps it isn’t inflammatory, but it indicates a bit of a lack of self-realization, and if the commenter keeps doing that, (and I’ve actually begun to notice commenters who routinely do that in fics) I could see how an author would get defensive about it.

I’ve noticed that certain types of fics tend to get negative comments whether or not they were “good” fics with what I considered good characterizations. Sometimes those negative comments were constructive, sometimes not, occasionally they were very negative and I wondered if someone was just having a bad day or had a stick up their pi gu (my first use of Chinese!). Often these fics are those that simply do something the reader didn’t agree with (slash, non-canon pairings, character death) and I have to consider that their evaluation of the fic was clouded by their dislike of the topic/plot/pairing. Sometimes I think we are taking this WAY too seriously. I mean it is meant to be fun and entertaining. I’m not sure how it has ended up such a grudge match. As a somewhat new person to the verse, I’m sad to say it’s kinda turning me off it.

And in response to Mordsith, I remember the comment about someone wanting to spit on you simply for writing a pairing that they didn’t like! I was appalled at that, I never considered that Browncoats would be that way. I just went back to look for it, so I wouldn’t say anything out of turn, and I noticed that it wasn’t an Anon comment (so maybe that doesn’t support the notion that getting rid of anon commenting will cut down on flaming, but…). I also saw that you replyed to it, as did others and you certainly had the right to defend yourself there (I thought your response was kinda funny as well as insightful!). I guess I can see how a commenter would feel like they were being flamed for getting a response to their comment (kinda in response to Leiasky’s post above, but since I don’t really know the circumstances there it might not be appropriate). However, if fanfic is fair game for any type of comments, then so are the comments fair game to responses.

Okay, I’ve been way too long-winded, especially for a first post. I think I’ll go back to lurking for a while. *please don’t hurt me too badly, I can’t take negative comments, LOL*




Very insightful little post. No that comment wasn't annon, but I was just trying to give an example of a flame. After I got that post I didn't know what to think. I couldn't understand why someone would say that to another person. I delt with it the best way I could and now just realize that they don't like Jaylee, oh well.

I'm not talking so much about my fic when I am writing here. I have recieved some negative annon comments (not flames, just not happy comments) on my fic, usually because they believe charactizations are off. My opinion on those annons is pretty much this. I can tell the person doesn't like Jaylee, they will never see Jaylee as 'in character' so no matter what I do with a jaylee fic, it will be out of character to the reviewer who just doesn't see it. I've come to terms with that. Just like I said before Rayne or Mal/River will always be out of character to me.

Always is a bad word to use, but it's damn near close. If someone really has their mind made up about something (non-cannon pairings, slash, ect) then you're not likely to change that. That isn't a bad thing, its just how it is for a lot of people.


I guess my biggest beef with annon postings is a person can be attacked, either by flaming or by just rating their fic low over and over again to drop their ratings (I've had this happen to a fellow writer). At least this way the people who did that will at least hesitate and think about it before they do it because if they rate someones fic at 0 twenty times in a row, their name is gonna show up in that person's mailbox and that person is gonna know just who is screwing with them.



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Sunday, July 9, 2006 12:45 PM

MORDSITH


Quote:

Originally posted by SameErtia:
Thanks for delurking SlowBrownCoat!

I agree that we need to leave the fanfiction reviews open for anyone to post in, but it would be nice if authors had control over being able to delete flaming reviews, or if we had a moderator who we could contact.

I've been very fortunate not to have been the recipient of negative reviews on this site, even on my Simon/Mal story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, non-slashers!

And usually, I can take the flames, toast marshmallows over them, and make lovely s'mores for all of my happy readers.

However, it can really tear a person down to recieve viscious replies, and sometimes I've seen it escalate into personal attacks on the authors.
Some samples that I've revieved from other boards= (keep in mind that I write LOTR based erotica)
- "Get a life, Nobody wants to read this crap."
-"If you want to bastardize something maybe you should start with your own offspring." (I actually liked that one. I quote it often!)
-"This was stupid. Why do you bother?"


I LOVE a constructive criticism review! "I thought these parts were good, but this part wasn't so good. Maybe you could... *make suggestions here*". But nastiness can really tear down an author, make them lose faith in their story-telling.

I don't mind anonymous reviewers, Often that means we have shiny visitors from other sites on the web come to visit li'l old us. I'd hate to see them have to go through the mess of registering just to leave a review.





eeep! those are some pretty interesting review!

I agree, some annoymous reviews make my day and shiny and nice. I will miss that.

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Monday, July 10, 2006 12:37 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.


I'm also lucky in that I haven't gotten any nasty comments, though I did have someone rating my banners down to 5 last week. They did it while signed in, so I do know who it was, and they have basically never posted on the forum, and they haven't responded to my inquiry as to what exactly they have against me. Don't know if they just didn't know that when you rate something is when a message is sent...
Anyway, yeah SlowBrownCoat, it shouldn't be a grudge match, I agree. Sadly, there will always be people who will use the net to fight with people who are unlikely to be able to punch them in the nose. Please don't let this turn you off to what is generally a very shiny community!

**********************************

**********************************

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Monday, July 10, 2006 3:54 AM

TKID


Quote:

Originally posted by slowbrowncoat:
So, I’m an avid reader of fanfic (but not a writer) who has commented anonymously a number of times and has about as big an obsession in reading the comments as the fic (hmm, what does that say about me?).



Me too! I love reading the comments. I particularly like comment threads where someone disagrees/dislikes something and a thread starts up where everyone weighs in with their varying opinions.

As to what you had to say about the type of comments, I think it goes without question that any one comment is just one person's point of view, and others may disagree. Just because I might think my point of view is gospel does not make my point of view the absolute truth.

And if the author replies back and says 'I believe you simply don't like seeing Early in a dress,' this is also cool. Even better is the author saying why they want Early in a dress, and what they were hoping this would do to/for the story.

If, instead of disagreeing with a comment in private via email, folks stated their differing opinion in another comment, most of the reasons for allowing anonymous comments would disappear.

Mod deletion of flames I have no problem with.

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Monday, July 10, 2006 4:04 AM

TKID


Quote:

Originally posted by Mordsith:
I guess my biggest beef with annon postings is a person can be attacked, either by flaming or by just rating their fic low over and over again to drop their ratings (I've had this happen to a fellow writer).



Anonymous commenters should not be allowed to rate, particularly if the system is being abused.

This may not be do-able here, but a slashdot.org system of mod points might work for the comments. The way it works is the original article does not get mod points, the comments do. Everyone has so many mod points, and if you disagree with a comment, you can mod the comment down so the comment is turned into a link that has to be clicked on to be viewed. If you agree with a comment and think it particularly insightful, you can mod the comment up so it becomes more obvious.

Flamers/trolls get modded into oblivion by the community.

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Monday, July 10, 2006 10:21 AM

MORDSITH


That's a very nifty idea. I kinda like it.

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Monday, July 10, 2006 10:23 AM

MORDSITH


Quote:

Originally posted by tkid:
Quote:

Originally posted by slowbrowncoat:
So, I’m an avid reader of fanfic (but not a writer) who has commented anonymously a number of times and has about as big an obsession in reading the comments as the fic (hmm, what does that say about me?).



Me too! I love reading the comments. I particularly like comment threads where someone disagrees/dislikes something and a thread starts up where everyone weighs in with their varying opinions.

As to what you had to say about the type of comments, I think it goes without question that any one comment is just one person's point of view, and others may disagree. Just because I might think my point of view is gospel does not make my point of view the absolute truth.

And if the author replies back and says 'I believe you simply don't like seeing Early in a dress,' this is also cool. Even better is the author saying why they want Early in a dress, and what they were hoping this would do to/for the story.

If, instead of disagreeing with a comment in private via email, folks stated their differing opinion in another comment, most of the reasons for allowing anonymous comments would disappear.

Mod deletion of flames I have no problem with.




You know, I would love to see a story with Early in a dress.

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